Metropolitan Property & Casualty Co. v. Deere & Co.
Connecticut Supreme Court
25 A.3d 571 (2011)
- Written by Emily Laird, JD
Facts
Metropolitan Property & Casualty Co. (Metropolitan) (plaintiff) sued Deere & Co. (Deere) (defendant) for damages arising from a fire that destroyed the home of Metropolitan’s insured. The insured bought a tractor Deere had manufactured. The tractor worked properly for four years. The insured then had a tractor dealership service the tractor. The insured continued to use the tractor when it was not working well. Later, a fire started in the garage where the insured kept the tractor. Metropolitan covered its insured’s claim and then sued Deere for the damages. Metropolitan claimed Deere’s design of the electrical system had caused the tractor to combust, burning down the insured’s home. In the trial court, Deere filed a motion for a directed verdict, claiming Metropolitan did not prove Deere was liable for the fire. The court denied the motion and ruled in favor of Metropolitan after a jury found Deere liable for the damages. Deere appealed, alleging the trial court erred in dismissing Deere’s motion for a directed verdict.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Zarella, J.)
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